Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for recovering a device reference clock on a device, the device reference clock proportional to a host reference clock of a host, when clock signaling from the host to the device is unavailable, wherein the device is configured to communicate to the host, the method comprising: measuring a ratio between the host reference clock and the device reference clock of the device by monitoring, with the device, host start-of-frame markers communicated from the host to the device; creating a recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio; and creating local start-of-frame markers at the device that are phase locked with the host start-of-frame markers based on the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to clock recovery in communication systems where a device must maintain synchronization with a host when direct clock signaling is unavailable. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate timing alignment between a device and a host when the host's reference clock is not directly accessible, which is critical for reliable data communication. The solution involves a method for recovering the device's reference clock, which is proportional to the host's reference clock, by analyzing host start-of-frame markers. The device measures the ratio between the host and device reference clocks by monitoring these markers, which are periodic signals indicating the start of data frames. Using this ratio, the device generates a recovered reference clock that approximates the host's timing. Additionally, the device creates local start-of-frame markers that are phase-locked to the host's markers, ensuring synchronization. This approach allows the device to maintain proper timing alignment even when direct clock signaling is disrupted, improving communication reliability in systems like USB, PCIe, or other high-speed interfaces where precise timing is essential. The method leverages existing communication signals to infer clock relationships, eliminating the need for dedicated clock recovery circuits.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a microframe local to the device based on the recovered reference clock.
A system and method for wireless communication involves synchronizing a device to a network using a reference clock signal. The device recovers the reference clock from a received signal, which may be a synchronization signal or a data signal. The recovered reference clock is used to align the device's local timing with the network's timing, enabling proper communication. Additionally, the device tracks a microframe, which is a smaller time unit local to the device, based on the recovered reference clock. This microframe tracking allows for precise timing adjustments and efficient data transmission within the network. The method ensures that the device maintains synchronization with the network, even in dynamic or noisy environments, by continuously adjusting its local timing based on the recovered reference clock. This synchronization is critical for reliable data exchange in wireless communication systems.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an audio reference clock local to the device based on the recovered reference clock.
A system and method for synchronizing devices in a network using a recovered reference clock. The problem addressed is maintaining precise timing synchronization across distributed devices, which is critical for applications like wireless communication, sensor networks, and distributed computing. Traditional synchronization methods often suffer from drift, latency, or require dedicated hardware. The invention involves a device that receives a reference clock signal from a network, such as a wireless or wired communication link. The device recovers the reference clock from the received signal, compensating for any transmission delays or distortions. This recovered reference clock is then used to generate an audio reference clock local to the device. The audio reference clock is derived from the recovered reference clock and is used to synchronize audio processing or other time-sensitive operations within the device. This ensures that multiple devices in the network can maintain synchronized timing for audio playback, recording, or other applications without requiring additional hardware or complex synchronization protocols. The method improves synchronization accuracy and reduces latency, making it suitable for real-time audio applications.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating one or more audio sample rates based on the recovered reference clock.
The invention relates to audio signal processing, specifically to methods for synchronizing audio signals using a recovered reference clock. The problem addressed is the need for precise timing in audio systems to ensure synchronization between multiple audio streams or devices, which is critical for applications like multi-channel audio playback, live broadcasting, and digital signal processing. The method involves recovering a reference clock from an audio signal, which serves as a timing reference for synchronizing audio processing operations. This recovered clock is used to generate one or more audio sample rates, ensuring that audio data is processed at consistent and accurate rates. The method may also include steps for adjusting or correcting the recovered clock to account for timing drift or errors, thereby maintaining synchronization over time. By generating audio sample rates based on the recovered reference clock, the invention enables precise control over audio signal timing, reducing latency and improving synchronization in audio systems. This is particularly useful in environments where multiple audio sources or devices must operate in unison, such as in professional audio production, live sound reinforcement, or distributed audio networks. The method ensures that audio signals remain synchronized even in the presence of network delays, clock variations, or other timing discrepancies.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating information for an asynchronous feedback endpoint based on the recovered reference clock.
A system and method for clock recovery and synchronization in digital communication networks addresses the challenge of maintaining precise timing in distributed systems where clock signals may drift or become misaligned. The invention involves recovering a reference clock signal from a received data stream, which is then used to synchronize local devices or systems. This recovered reference clock is applied to various timing-critical operations, such as data sampling, signal processing, and system synchronization. Additionally, the invention includes generating information for an asynchronous feedback endpoint based on the recovered reference clock. This feedback mechanism allows for real-time adjustments and corrections to the clock recovery process, improving synchronization accuracy and system performance. The method ensures reliable timing synchronization in environments where clock signals may be degraded or subject to interference, such as in wireless networks, fiber-optic communications, or distributed computing systems. By dynamically adjusting the clock recovery process using feedback, the system can compensate for environmental factors and maintain precise timing alignment across multiple devices. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision timing, such as telecommunications, financial transactions, and industrial automation.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising performing synchronous sample rate conversion based on the recovered reference clock.
A method for digital signal processing involves synchronizing data streams from multiple sources using a recovered reference clock. The method includes aligning the data streams by adjusting their timing to compensate for differences in their arrival times, ensuring that the data streams are synchronized with each other. Additionally, the method performs synchronous sample rate conversion, where the sample rate of the data streams is adjusted to match a target rate while maintaining synchronization with the recovered reference clock. This ensures that the data streams are not only aligned in time but also have consistent sample rates, which is critical for applications requiring precise timing and synchronization, such as telecommunications, signal processing, and data transmission systems. The method addresses the challenge of maintaining synchronization and sample rate consistency across multiple data streams, which can be affected by variations in transmission delays, clock drifts, or other timing discrepancies. By using the recovered reference clock, the method provides a reliable way to synchronize and convert the sample rates of the data streams in real-time, improving the accuracy and reliability of the processed signals.
7. The method of claim 3 , further comprising performing asynchronous sample rate conversion based on the recovered reference clock.
A system and method for digital signal processing involves recovering a reference clock from a received signal and using it to perform asynchronous sample rate conversion. The recovered reference clock is derived from the received signal, which may be a digital communication signal or other time-varying data stream. The system includes a clock recovery circuit that extracts timing information from the signal to generate a stable reference clock. This recovered clock is then used to drive an asynchronous sample rate converter, which adjusts the sampling rate of the signal to match a desired output rate. The asynchronous conversion ensures that the input and output sampling rates are independent, allowing for flexible interfacing between different digital systems. The method improves signal processing accuracy by maintaining synchronization while accommodating variations in input signal timing. This approach is particularly useful in communication systems, audio processing, and other applications requiring precise timing alignment. The system may also include additional signal conditioning steps, such as filtering or quantization, to enhance performance. The asynchronous conversion process ensures minimal phase distortion and jitter, improving overall system reliability.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the host is a Universal Serial Bus host and the device is a Universal Serial Bus device.
A method for managing data transfer between a Universal Serial Bus (USB) host and a USB device involves establishing a communication link between the host and the device. The method includes detecting a connection event, such as plugging in the device, and initiating a negotiation process to determine compatible communication parameters. The host and device exchange configuration data to establish a stable connection, allowing for data transfer operations. The method ensures proper synchronization between the host and device, preventing data corruption or loss during transmission. Error detection and correction mechanisms are implemented to handle transmission errors, and the method supports various data transfer modes, including bulk, interrupt, and isochronous transfers. The method also includes power management features to optimize energy consumption, such as adjusting power states based on usage patterns. The system dynamically adapts to different USB standards, ensuring compatibility with various devices and hosts. The method enhances reliability and efficiency in USB communication by standardizing the interaction protocol between the host and device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein creating the recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio comprises: detecting a phase difference between the host start-of-frame markers and a recovered reference rate; filtering the phase difference to generate a filtered phase difference; and comparing the filtered phase difference to the device reference clock to generate the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to clock recovery in communication systems, specifically for synchronizing a device reference clock with a host system's timing. The problem addressed is the need for accurate clock recovery in systems where a device must align its timing with a host's reference clock, particularly in scenarios where the host's clock is not directly accessible. The invention provides a method to generate a recovered reference clock by measuring the ratio between the host's timing markers and the device's reference clock, then refining this measurement to minimize phase errors. The method involves detecting a phase difference between the host's start-of-frame markers and a recovered reference rate. This phase difference is then filtered to reduce noise and generate a filtered phase difference. The filtered phase difference is compared to the device's reference clock to produce the recovered reference clock, which closely matches the host's timing. This approach ensures precise synchronization by continuously adjusting the recovered clock based on the measured phase difference, improving communication reliability in systems where clock alignment is critical. The filtering step helps mitigate jitter and other timing errors, ensuring stable synchronization over time.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein creating the recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio comprises: detecting a phase difference between the host start-of-frame markers and the recovered reference clock; filtering the phase difference to generate a filtered phase difference; and comparing the filtered phase difference to the device reference clock to generate the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to clock recovery in data communication systems, specifically for synchronizing a device reference clock with a host reference clock using start-of-frame markers. The problem addressed is the need for accurate clock recovery in systems where a device must align its internal clock with a host's clock, often in the presence of noise or signal distortion. The method involves measuring a ratio between the host's reference clock and the device's reference clock. To create a recovered reference clock, the method detects a phase difference between the host's start-of-frame markers and the recovered reference clock. This phase difference is then filtered to generate a filtered phase difference, which is compared to the device's reference clock to produce the recovered reference clock. The filtering step helps reduce noise and improve stability in the recovered clock signal. The comparison step ensures the recovered clock closely matches the host's reference clock, enabling precise synchronization. This approach is particularly useful in high-speed data transmission systems where maintaining synchronization between a host and a device is critical for reliable communication. The method improves upon traditional clock recovery techniques by incorporating phase difference filtering and comparison, leading to more accurate and stable clock recovery.
11. A device, comprising: an input for receiving information communicated from a host to the device; and a controller configured to recover a device reference clock on the device, the device reference clock proportional to a host reference clock of the host, when clock signaling from the host to the device is unavailable, wherein the device is configured to communicate to the host, by: measuring a ratio between the host reference clock and the device reference clock of the device by monitoring, with the device, host start-of-frame markers communicated from the host to the device; creating a recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio; and creating local start-of-frame markers at the device that are phase locked with the host start-of-frame markers based on the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to clock synchronization in communication systems where a device must maintain synchronization with a host when direct clock signaling is unavailable. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate timing alignment between a device and a host, particularly in scenarios where explicit clock signals are not provided, such as in certain serial communication protocols. Without proper synchronization, data transmission errors or inefficiencies may occur. The device includes an input for receiving information from the host and a controller that recovers a device reference clock proportional to the host's reference clock when clock signaling is unavailable. The device measures the ratio between the host and device reference clocks by monitoring host start-of-frame markers, which are periodic synchronization signals. Using this ratio, the device creates a recovered reference clock that approximates the host's timing. The device then generates local start-of-frame markers that are phase-locked with the host's markers, ensuring synchronization. This approach allows the device to maintain accurate timing without direct clock signals, improving reliability in communication systems where explicit clock distribution is impractical. The method involves dynamic adjustment of the device's clock based on observed host timing, ensuring long-term stability and synchronization.
12. The device of claim 11 , the controller further configured to track a microframe local to the device based on the recovered reference clock.
A system for wireless communication includes a device with a controller that recovers a reference clock from a received signal. The controller uses this recovered reference clock to track a microframe, which is a time interval local to the device. The microframe is synchronized with the reference clock to ensure precise timing for data transmission and reception. The device may also include a transceiver for sending and receiving signals, and the controller may adjust timing parameters based on the recovered clock to maintain synchronization. This system is particularly useful in wireless networks where precise timing is critical for coordinating communication between multiple devices. The recovered reference clock allows the device to align its operations with the network's timing structure, reducing interference and improving data reliability. The microframe tracking ensures that the device can accurately time its transmissions and receptions, even in dynamic environments where timing drifts or variations may occur. This technology is applicable in various wireless communication standards, including those requiring tight synchronization, such as 5G or IoT networks. The controller's ability to track the microframe locally enhances the device's autonomy while maintaining synchronization with the broader network.
13. The device of claim 11 , the controller further configured to generate an audio reference clock local to the device based on the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to a device for generating an audio reference clock within a system that processes audio signals. The problem addressed is the need for precise timing synchronization in audio processing systems, particularly when recovering a reference clock from an incoming audio signal. The device includes a controller that recovers a reference clock from an audio signal and then generates a local audio reference clock based on the recovered reference clock. The local audio reference clock is used to synchronize audio processing operations within the device, ensuring accurate timing for tasks such as sampling, buffering, or playback. The controller may also adjust the local audio reference clock to compensate for variations in the recovered reference clock, maintaining stability and reducing jitter. This approach improves synchronization in distributed audio systems, where multiple devices must operate in unison. The invention is particularly useful in professional audio equipment, digital audio workstations, or networked audio systems where precise timing is critical. By generating a local reference clock derived from the recovered clock, the device ensures consistent performance across different audio processing tasks.
14. The device of claim 13 , the controller further configured to generate one or more audio sample rates based on the recovered reference clock.
A system for audio signal processing includes a device with a controller that recovers a reference clock from an incoming audio signal. The recovered reference clock is used to synchronize audio processing operations. The controller is further configured to generate one or more audio sample rates based on the recovered reference clock. This allows precise timing control for audio data conversion, such as analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion, ensuring synchronization between different audio processing components. The system may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that operate using the generated sample rates. The recovered reference clock may be derived from a clock signal embedded in the audio signal or extracted from a synchronization signal. The controller adjusts the sample rates dynamically to maintain synchronization with the incoming audio signal, compensating for variations in clock frequency or phase. This ensures accurate audio data processing and minimizes distortion or timing errors in audio playback or recording. The system is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision audio synchronization, such as professional audio equipment, digital audio workstations, or real-time audio streaming systems.
15. The device of claim 13 , the controller further configured to generate information for an asynchronous feedback endpoint based on the recovered reference clock.
A system for clock recovery and synchronization in communication networks addresses the challenge of maintaining precise timing in distributed systems where clock signals may be degraded or lost due to transmission errors or environmental interference. The system includes a clock recovery module that extracts a reference clock signal from an incoming data stream, compensating for phase and frequency variations to restore an accurate timing reference. A controller processes the recovered clock signal to generate synchronization information, which is then used to align devices within the network. The controller also creates an asynchronous feedback endpoint, allowing remote monitoring and adjustment of the recovered clock signal. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic correction of timing errors, improving system reliability and performance. The system is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision timing, such as telecommunications, data centers, and industrial automation, where synchronization errors can lead to data loss or system failures. By providing a robust method for clock recovery and feedback, the system ensures consistent timing across distributed nodes, enhancing overall network efficiency and stability.
16. The device of claim 13 , the controller further configured to perform synchronous sample rate conversion based on the recovered reference clock.
A system for digital signal processing includes a controller that synchronizes data processing with a recovered reference clock. The system captures input signals, such as audio or communication signals, and processes them in a synchronized manner. The controller is configured to perform synchronous sample rate conversion, adjusting the sampling rate of the processed signals to match a target rate while maintaining synchronization with the recovered reference clock. This ensures accurate timing and alignment of the processed signals, which is critical for applications requiring precise synchronization, such as digital audio processing, telecommunications, or signal synchronization in distributed systems. The recovered reference clock is derived from an input signal or an external reference, providing a stable timing reference for the sample rate conversion process. The system may also include analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processors, and other components to handle signal acquisition, processing, and output. The synchronous sample rate conversion ensures that the processed signals are time-aligned with the reference clock, reducing jitter and improving signal integrity. This technology is particularly useful in environments where multiple signals must be synchronized, such as in audio mixing, network synchronization, or real-time communication systems.
17. The device of claim 13 , the controller further configured to perform asynchronous sample rate conversion based on the recovered reference clock.
A system for digital signal processing includes a controller that performs asynchronous sample rate conversion using a recovered reference clock. The system is designed for applications requiring precise timing synchronization, such as telecommunications, audio processing, or data transmission, where mismatched sample rates between devices can cause errors or signal degradation. The controller recovers a reference clock from an incoming signal, which may have been distorted or altered during transmission. Using this recovered clock, the controller adjusts the sample rate of the digital signal to match the desired output rate, even if the input and output rates are not synchronized. This process ensures accurate signal reconstruction without introducing phase or timing errors. The system may also include analog-to-digital conversion, digital filtering, and clock recovery mechanisms to enhance signal integrity. The asynchronous sample rate conversion allows seamless integration with different devices operating at varying sample rates, improving compatibility and performance in real-time applications.
18. The device of claim 11 , wherein the host is a Universal Serial Bus host and the device is a Universal Serial Bus device.
A system for interfacing between a Universal Serial Bus (USB) host and a USB device includes a host controller and a device controller. The host controller is configured to manage communication with the host, while the device controller is configured to manage communication with the device. The system further includes a data processing module that processes data exchanged between the host and the device, ensuring compatibility and efficient data transfer. The system may also include a power management module to regulate power distribution between the host and the device, optimizing energy efficiency. Additionally, the system may incorporate a protocol conversion module to handle different communication protocols, ensuring seamless interaction between the host and the device. The system is designed to enhance data transfer rates, reduce latency, and improve overall system reliability in USB-based communication environments.
19. The device of claim 11 , wherein creating the recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio comprises: detecting a phase difference between the host start-of-frame markers and a recovered reference rate; filtering the phase difference to generate a filtered phase difference; and comparing the filtered phase difference to the device reference clock to generate the recovered reference clock.
This invention relates to clock recovery in data communication systems, specifically for synchronizing a device's clock with a host system's clock using start-of-frame markers. The problem addressed is maintaining precise timing alignment between a host and a device, particularly in systems where clock drift or jitter can disrupt data transmission. The device includes a clock recovery mechanism that measures the ratio between the host's reference clock and the device's internal clock. To generate a recovered reference clock, the device detects the phase difference between the host's start-of-frame markers and a recovered reference rate. This phase difference is then filtered to reduce noise and generate a stable filtered phase difference. The filtered phase difference is compared to the device's reference clock to produce the recovered reference clock, ensuring synchronization with the host's timing. The filtering step may involve a loop filter or other smoothing technique to minimize phase errors. This method allows the device to dynamically adjust its clock to match the host's clock, improving data integrity and transmission reliability. The invention is particularly useful in high-speed communication systems where precise timing is critical.
20. The device of claim 11 , wherein creating the recovered reference clock based on the measured ratio comprises: detecting a phase difference between the host start-of-frame markers and the recovered reference clock; filtering the phase difference to generate a filtered phase difference; and comparing the filtered phase difference to the device reference clock to generate the recovered reference clock.
A device for clock recovery in data communication systems addresses the challenge of accurately reconstructing a reference clock from received data signals, particularly in systems where timing information is embedded in start-of-frame markers. The device measures the ratio between the host's reference clock and the device's internal clock to generate a recovered reference clock that aligns with the host's timing. This involves detecting phase differences between the host's start-of-frame markers and the recovered reference clock, filtering these phase differences to reduce noise, and then comparing the filtered phase difference to the device's reference clock to produce the final recovered reference clock. The filtering step ensures stability by smoothing out transient variations, while the comparison step adjusts the recovered clock to match the host's timing precisely. This method is particularly useful in high-speed data transmission where precise synchronization is critical, such as in serial communication protocols or network synchronization applications. The device's ability to dynamically adjust the recovered clock based on measured phase differences improves synchronization accuracy and reduces errors in data transmission.
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October 20, 2020
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